THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, AND SOLITAIRES: Family Turdidae [473] 



can be definitely ascribed to the race. The nest was on the ground and 

 contained three nearly fledged young and one addled egg, which was 

 collected. Merrill (1888) collected birds at Fort Klamath that belong in 

 this race. Shelton (1917) reported it common in the Cascades in the 

 vicinity of the Three Sisters, and Gabrielson (1931) found it to be a 

 fairly common summer resident of the higher part of the Cascades in 

 Jackson County. Patterson (ms.) found a nest in Crater Lake Park, 

 May 16, 192.6. 



Audubon's Hermit Thrush: 



Hylocichla guttata auduboni (Baird) 



DESCRIPTION. "Similar to guttata, but larger, and upper parts lighter, grayer, with 

 rufous of tail much lighter (fulvous). Length: 7.50-8.15, wing 3.65-4.35, tail 2-. 95- 

 3.45, bill .53-. 60." (Bailey) Nest and eggs: As in other subspecies. 



DISTRIBUTION. General: Breeds from southeastern British Columbia and Montana 

 south to Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Winters southward. In Oregon: 

 Summer resident and breeding bird in higher peaks in Wallowa Mountains and found 

 in migration south through Blue Mountains. 



JEWETT (191 6a) published an account of finding the nest of Audubon's 

 Hermit Thrush at Bourne, Baker County, on August 3, 1915. It was 8 

 feet up in a fir sapling in a deep thicket and contained three incubated 

 eggs. Gabrielson (192^) recorded one found at Lick Creek Ranger Sta- 

 tion, July 2.7, 19x0. These two comprise the only published records for 

 the species. In addition to these, we have specimens from Silvies Valley 

 (September 9, 1919, Gabrielson), Ice Lake (June 2.7, 1934, Jewett), Lick 

 Creek (June 30, 1934, Jewett), and Hart Mountain (September 17, 1934, 

 Jewett). There are skins in the Biological Survey collection from Bourne 

 (August 3, 1915, Jewett), Beech Creek (July 2. and 3, 1915, Jewett), 

 Strawberry Mountains (July 13, 1915, Jewett), and Meacham (June 10, 

 1915, M. E. Peck). In addition to the published breeding record above, 

 Jewett has notes as follows: A nest with four fresh eggs, June 19, 192.7, 

 on Aneroid Lake Trail, 6 feet up in a spruce tree, collected by Braly; one 

 at Lick Creek, June 2.0, 192.7, 5 feet up in a spruce tree and containing 

 two eggs; and one on Little Eagle Creek, July 2.0, 192.9, 6 feet up in a fir 

 sapling and containing two eggs. 



This race and the Sierra Hermit Thrush rank together as among our 

 finest song birds. Not only are their songs of superior quality, but the 

 setting of beautiful parks, clear lakes, and sparkling streams combine 

 with the music to give it an emotional quality that could not prevail 

 under more prosaic surroundings. We know of no more enchanting ex- 

 perience than to watch the sun set behind a jagged sky line of snow-clad 

 peaks to the accompaniment of their ethereal songs. Surely then, if ever, 

 one listens to the music of the stars. 



